Avocado Deep Treatment

What is an Avocado?  The Avocado is a native fruit of Central Mexico. They are often characterized by their green skin and fleshy inner. They also come in many varieties and can range in shapes from spherical to egg-shapped. wikipedia.org/avocado

What are the benefits of using one?  Within the beauty industry, they are usually used within a lot of the our skin care products but, through many studies have shown that they can also be beneficial for our hair. The reason is, because they are high in fats, vitamins E and A. All of these components have been said to help prevent hair loss, promote growth, and moisturize dry/damaged hair.

Ingredients used: 1 Avocado

                              1 Tbs of Olive Oil

                              2 Tbs of Honey

                              1/2 cup- 1cup water (or as needed to blend)

You do not have to use the exact amout that I used. Since it was my first time trying it out, I didn't want to add to many ingrediants because I wanted to see how well the avocado performed on its on. some people even add coconut milk as a wet ingredient.

What process did I use? I cut the avocado in half and scooped it out in chunks into my blender. I then  began to add the rest of the ingredients. Make sure you blend until smooth. You would want it to be the cosistency of a conditioner. If they're are any chunks left in the mix can be rather tough to rinse out of your hair. Once my mix was complete I proceeded to apply to clean, wet hair and I let it sit for about 20-30 minutes under a conditioning cap with a t-shirt wrapped around it to hold in the heat. Then, I rinsed and contiued to apply my detangling/moisturizing conditioner.

 After thoughts:  My first impression of this treatment during and after was similar to when I tried henna. They both weighed my hair down and after rinsing, my hair felt strengthend and more defined.The only diference for me was, that I didn't have to wait hours or overnight to get the same effects like I did when using henna (not saying they will/will not give your hair similar results..everyone hair is different).  It really did not moisturize my hair as much as I though/heard that it would. To sum it all up, I do like the fact that it was a very cost efficient way to give my hair a nice deep treatment using all natural ingredients. My only con was that it reacted to my hair more like a protein treatment than, a moisturizing treatment.

Have you tried using an avocado within your regimen?? Feel free to leave a comment below to share your experience!!!

Tools for Heat Styling

I've been thinking lately about flat ironing my hair (for the holidays) but, not really sure what type of flat irons would work best on my 4C Hair? I know many naturals blow their hair out before straightening it but, my hair really does not like all the extra heat. So if any of my naturals out there have any tips/suggestions please let me know! Have any of you tried the "tension" method? Did you have any heat damage? Feel free to comment and tell me about your experiences.

Exquisite Natural: Fall and Winter Styling

Exquisite Natural: Fall and Winter Styling: I'm usually a twist/braid-out type chic but, here lately I've been experimenting a little bit with some protective up-do...

Fall and Winter Styling

I'm usually a twist/braid-out type chic but, here lately I've been experimenting a little bit with some protective up-do styles. Funny thing is, I hadn't even realized that my had grown enough to pin it up because of the shrinkage that I get. Well, after a completed a set of mini twist last month I was sitting around watching tutorials on YouTube. Thing is, I was able to achieve a cute pin-up style when I wasn't even trying! I always felt my hair behaved the best when I don't try so hard! Smh. Anyways, I know a lot of you lovely naturals out there go hard for protective styling during the fall and winter. My question is, does it really  help with protecting the hair from breakage and other hair ordeals? Is it ok to wear it out on special occasions if you are on a protective style challenge? Do you think it mainly has to do with weather where you live, that dictates the way you style your hair? Please feel free to comment and let me know your thoughts about it!

Darcy's Botanicals Grand Opening Event!

So this past weekend I had the opportunity to be part of the Darcy's Botanicals Grand Opening Event! I must admit that it was one of the most exciting moments of my life! First and foremost, I would like to give special thanks to the Lysandra, the Creator of Darcy's Botanicals LLC. and Telise, the Director of Education for allowing me to be part of the fashion show for this grand celebration.

Now I know many of you were not able to attend the event so, I will post some pics of what I(well actually a friend of mines,) was able capture!
If you would like to see more, please visit their Facebook page or www.darcys botanicals.blogspot
com to catch a glimpse of all the fun!
Oh by the way, I want to give a special shoutout to all of the lovely natural ladies who I met while attending the event.
*dress: Max and Cleo
*shoes: BCBG MaxAzria "Anya" in champagne

AfroVeda's Spinach Leaf Pre-Shampoo Treatment

I know this product was suppose to been reviewed many months ago but....I like to take my time with some products. On Afroveda's Facebook page around the Fall of last year, I entered a contest in which two others and myself won a nice size sample of their Spinach Leaf pre-shampoo treatment. At the time they did have the recipe posted to their wall if you wanted to try it out for yourself. Luckily, I didn't have to make it on my own! Lol. Well this treatment is not yet on their site for purchase, I guess they may have been waiting on the reviews (sorry it took so long!) Well anyways, in this review I will explain what exactly it is, how it works, and how it is to be used.

• The information below comes directly from the product label. The rest of this review will include my own personal opinion about the treatment and how it works with my hair type.

Spinach Leaf  Herbal oil Pre-Shampoo Treatment

Spinach has many nutrients and vitamins. Vitamins that are vital to hair growth and found in abundance. The vitamins that are found includes: Vitamins A and C, which are essential for the body to produce sebum while, Vitamins E is used as an antioxidant that boosts scalp circulation. It also includes, Alpha omega-3 and Alpha omega-6 fatty acids,which is needed for healthy hair growth.If you are familiar with Afroveda's system on hair types, this treatment is considered as:



 TRIDOSHIC: For all hair types and textures.

Ingredients

Mustard Seed Oil,Organic Baby Spinach, Yerba Mate (Green Tea),
Organic Hibiscus Flower, Organic Triphala, Tumeric, Organic Kelp,
Organic Slippery Elm, Organic Horsetail, Moringa Leaf, Essential Oils
of Rosemary and Peppermint.

On the label it also tells you how to use it and other tips.

How to use

Massage oil onto your hair and scalp three or more times a week. Each time, leave the oil in your hair for at least three hours before rinsing it out with shampoo. You will have healthier, stronger. faster growing hair in just a few weeks.

• Tips- To benefit from this oil, you have to keep using it.

*Claims product.


*You can see small oil deposits that are sitting on my hair....it really takes some time for it to penetrate the hair shaft and scalp. Excuse the roughness..pre-wash lol!!

My Thoughts

As soon as I received this product the smell of a peppermint patty hit my nose and I promise you my sinus cleared up!! LOL. I must admit that it took a while to understand that a little does go a long way when using it. It is a very heavy, thick oil that will take some time to absorb into your hair and scalp thus, goes back to the instructions on leaving it on your hair for at least three hours. I have never really been into pre-shampoo treatments before, so this is one of the first products that I have actually used for that. After some trial and error I realized that it does help with keeping my dry, thick. course, 4c hair from being stripped when washing or using shampoo. Now I have tried going against instructions by co-washing it out.......yep won't be doing that again. The reason, I still had a lot of oil on my hair and scalp after washing, detangling, and drying my hair. Epic FAIL!! I had to go back and wash it all over again. As far as the claims for growth and how often you should use it, well that is sort of another story. I do not wash my hair more often then once a week. So as far as using it more often will make my hair grow? Not sure about all that but, I do know that it has enabled me to detangle my dry hair before washing (especially after mini twist) a whole lot easier. Some oils are way to light for my hair, so it has lead to retaining most of that growth.
The final word, I think if they were to market this treatment, it has a lot of potential. The only thing I would do is to make it in a lighter scent. The peppermint is a little overbearing on the nostrils...... I really do feel that it would be a great treatment to buy if you did not want to make your own. The thick, heavy consistency is great for Type 4 hair!

*If you were one of the winners of this product, please let me know how it worked for you, or if you made your own, feel free to share your experience also!!!

** Special thanks to www.Afroveda.com for the chance to try out this pre-poo treatment. By the way I am in Love with you Carrot Seed Shampoo Bar!! Everyone should definitely check it out!

Letting It Flow!!!

Having  a lil springtime fun!!!

Post Henna Treatment...Blowout/twist out

Pre-Henna Treatment...mini twist out!!

Mini twist out using Shea Moisture's Curling Suffle'